They are looking out for the bottom line, but just like the Pistons did during their last run the bottom line goes straight to the owners pocket and not the team.

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Joe got to build the team the way he wanted under Davidson.....and the team made 20 million per season his last 6 years. Under Davidson's wife.....the team made 30 million per season........and the team ended up going to suckeyville.

To me...........there's a difference between a savvy owner and one who is just stupid and greedy.

Am I missing something here? Kevin martin is a legit 17-20ppg SG, LEGIT! I'd trade Stuckey for him in a heartbeat! Jeremy Lamb has CRAZY potential! Add in 2 1st rd picks too? WTF!!! This is the kind of deal we all dreamed of Joe getting when we began stripping the team down......but Nooooo we trade Chauncey for A.I., GIVE away Afflalo, PAID Rip to leave, and turned CAPP SPAYCE into Corey Maggette and BoT! For a serial trade scenario creator like myself, only in my dreams do you construct a deal this good.

If Harden got market value after all the stars had taken hometown deals (Including players better and by far more important to the team) I could see a lockeroom chemistry problem developing also.

A smart move from a chemistry standpoint and I think we'll see from a talent standpoint. I am just not sold on Harden being a starting star... He is a great 6th man and looks great in that roll, start him and I think he's exposed (sorta like a recent Detroit SG).

OKC are true winners in this. Kevin Martin is going to explode this year with Durant & Westbrook getting all the attention on offense. But, THIS is the kicker:

Houston also sent two 2013 first-round picks (from Dallas and Toronto) to Oklahoma City, sources told Y! Sports, as well as a 2013 second-round pick (via Charlotte). The Thunder will receive the Toronto pick this year if it's slotted Nos. 4-14. That pick also is top-three protected in 2014, top-two protected in 2015 and top-one protected in 2016.

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OKC is likely to go to the finals, and in this summer's draft they'll have extra TWO 1st rounders and a SECOND rounder, plus the Toronto lottery pick is potentially, and very likely, going to be a lottery pick in the 4-14 range. So, they went from having only the 28th pick in the 1st round to having potentially THREE first round picks with one very likely being a lottery pick, plus a second rounder. And, it really isn't too big of a downgrade to go from Harden to Martin. And whatever downgrade that was is offset by the upgrade from Daequan Cook to Jeremy Lamb.

OKC are true winners in this. Kevin Martin is going to explode this year with Durant & Westbrook getting all the attention on offense. But, THIS is the kicker:

OKC is likely to go to the finals, and in this summer's draft they'll have extra TWO 1st rounders and a SECOND rounder, plus the Toronto lottery pick is potentially, and very likely, going to be a lottery pick in the 4-14 range. So, they went from having only the 28th pick in the 1st round to having potentially THREE first round picks with one very likely being a lottery pick, plus a second rounder. And, it really isn't too big of a downgrade to go from Harden to Martin. And whatever downgrade that was is offset by the upgrade from Daequan Cook to Jeremy Lamb.

Presti is an awesome GM.

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Another thing that shouldn't be overlooked is the fact that K-Mart's (12.5 mil I think) expires at the end of the year. So rather than tying up a bunch of cheddar to resign their 6th man (a SG to boot!), they simply rent Martin (slight downgrade IMO) and remain cap-flexible for the duration of their championship run. Unlike the Heat, they can add pieces to a killer core of Westbrook, Durant, Ibaka, etc.

They'll have a bunch of lottery picks contributing on rookie salaries and the ability to add a FA or two at the right price to tailor their team however they want to. THIS is the type of move that could potentially set those guys up for a dynastic run.

I am actually less and less hot on Harden the more I think about it. Especially for a max contract. If Houston pays him max and ties him up for 5 years, they are spending something like 35 million a year on Asik, Harden and Lin. Thats not exactly a championship core.

I am actually less and less hot on Harden the more I think about it. Especially for a max contract. If Houston pays him max and ties him up for 5 years, they are spending something like 35 million a year on Asik, Harden and Lin. Thats not exactly a championship core.

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It's like the GM down there turned to one of his assistants and said, "Is there a way that we can become the more like the Orlando Magic"?

Credit where credit is due. Harden/Lin/Asik are three very good players (except for Lin, he should be less effective now that they can scout him). But there are a few issues. Harden spent a lot of his time against non-starter units (frankensteins) and I am eager to see what he can do as a full fledged 35mpg, go to guy. I have a feeling that his TS% will move inversely with his usage rate, and that all the reasons that he was supposedly worth the money (efficient, whirlwind off the bench, beard, can run offense) will suddenly start to look unrealistic. Asik is a brilliant defender, arguably one of the best in the league, but only for 20mpg. It will be interesting to see him trying to play for 30+mpg, especially as he brings very little offense to a team sorely in need of it.